Published 12:00 am, Thursday, October 14, 2010

MIDDLETOWN -- The city's Personnel Department is continuing its investigation after a custodian at Keigwin Middle School was reportedly caught watching porn on school grounds.

According to initial reports, a female parent was leaving the middle school with her three young children -- who take music lessons there -- on Thurs. Oct. 7. The woman reportedly caught something out of the corner of her eye as she was leaving the building and reported it to the vice principal immediately.

The woman said she saw a male custodian watching a pornographic video inside a locked room. The incident occurred after school was let out.

"Me and everyone I know who is aware of this situation are appalled," Middletown resident and parent Matthew Karpel said via e-mail. "In what other organization in this country would you be caught watching porn on the job and not immediately fired, nevermind a career where you are working with young children."

Superintendent of schools, Michael Frechette said that the incident is a personnel matter and that the school does not have the authority to fire the custodian, whose name has not yet been released. He said that the Board of Education has made a recommendation to the mayor, but it must first go through the Personnel Department. He declined to comment further.

A message left for Personnel Director Deb Milardo was not returned.

Mayor Sebastian Giuliano said that he has only heard rumors about what happened and, as such, is unable to confirm any facts. However, he admitted he had been told that "something is coming" from the Personnel Department.

Depending on the Board's recommendation, the mayor is required to approve or reject it once it falls on his desk.

Currently, the custodian is said to be on paid administrative leave from Keigwin.